WHAT A difference a game makes!

After the doom and gloom of the Notts County loss on Saturday there is suddenly a mood of optimism and celebration at the Fraser Eagle Stadium after Wednesday's stunning show.

In one flash - well 90 minutes - all the complaints that the strikers aren't scoring goals, the back four are being repeatedly caught out and that the flair players aren't performing has gone.

Stanley were simply awesome against previously unbeaten Wrexham - reminiscent of some of last season's Conference winning clashes.

Ian Craney, who has been down about his own performances this season, gave a Man of the Match display which must have caught the eye of the numerous watching scouts.

Winger Gary Roberts, in his new role up front, took both his chances with the aplomb of a striker while Sean Doherty, in his first start, whipped in some great crosses.

The defence, so leaky in the last two games, was on top with the Dragons not having a sniff. Phil Edwards has settled into the centre half role like he has played there all season and Leam Richardson was his tough tackling self.

But to single anyone out is wrong in a game which had everyone at Stanley singing, smiling and shouting - the despair of the two previous matches instantly forgotten in a five star show.

It is only one game - and the Reds will need to show the same commitment and skills against Boston tomorrow - but what a confidence boost for a team who must have begun to question themselves after one win in seven league games.

"We knew this type of performance was in the dressing room," said a smiling assistant boss Jimmy Bell.

"We showed it against Nottingham Forest in the cup and we wanted the same commitment against Wrexham.

"We had a game-plan and we asked the players for a high tempo game and to get in their faces early on and it paid dividends.

"I am just made up. There was 14 lads out there who gave their all for the club, for me and John (Coleman) and their families, friends and the fans.

"They have made us proud and you can't ask any more.

"And the defence kept their first league clean sheet of the season. We asked them to be a bit more annoyed if they give chances away and they have had a lot of pressure on them, not just in games, but from me and John as well at the training ground. You should see them in the dressing room now!"

For once it was nice to hear the opposition manager disgruntled with Dragons boss Denis Smith admitting: "I am angry. You can't cater for people not doing their jobs. There were four goals from the keeper's hands and I'm not happy at all."

It was a new look Stanley side with defender Michael Welch suffering from flu and winger Gary Roberts getting the nod to play just behind Paul Mullin up front.

Stanley's goalkeeping coach Andy Dibble got a nice reception from his former club's fans but the 799 visitors were soon to be left stunned.

In fairness, there was little sign of what was to come in the early stages as there wasn't much to choose between the sides with Wrexham just about edging it.

It was end to end stuff without either keeper really being tested but Stanley got through that magic time of 20 minutes - they have conceded in the first 20 minutes in the majority of their league games this season.

"I did have a quick look at my watch and was relieved we had finally done it," smiled Bell.

Then unmarked Mullin headed a Roberts cross wide and there may have been doubts creeping in - surely it couldn't be another day of misses for the Reds.

However the tall striker soon made amends four minutes before half-time. A neat one-two between Doherty and Roberts ended with Doherty's fierce strike being pushed out by keeper Martin Ingham and Mullin was there to pounce for his third goal of the season.

It made half-time certainly happier but Coleman was certainly not going to settle for one - but perhaps got more than he bargained for as, in eight glorious minutes, Stanley put the Dragons to the sword.

Wrexham had made a subsitute but all hopes of a revival were thwarted when Doherty's 20-yard effort was palmed out for a corner and Ian Craney's inswinger somehow curled into the net - and he is definitely claiming it!

The crowd were still catching their breath when Roberts pounced on Shaun Pejic's defensive mistake and tucked the ball under Ingham from close range for the third.

And then the celebrations well and truly began when skipper Peter Cavanagh saw the keeper off his line and took a quick free kick which caught Martin unable to move.

And, just to add insult to Wrexham's injury, Roberts then broke from a goalkick, left the keeper grounded and tucked the ball home from a tight angle to make it five.

"I did think I had taken it too far," said the winger/striker. "I was a bit worried so it was nice when it went in."

All this is not to say Wrexham didn't have chances but full marks to the Stanley defence who didn't let them in and, on the rare occasion they got a chance, goalie Ian Dunbavin deprived them.

The only disappointment was for Andy Mangan who broke through unmarked at the death but his final effort was stopped by a relieved Martin.

Everyone came out of the dressing room smiling and hopefully this is the League Two season now well and truly up and running for the Reds.